Wat moet je Valentijn te geven – een laag allergie gids!

Valentijnsdag is bijna gearriveerd, and the first thing you might think of giving your loved one may well be a lovely bunch of flowers. Great idea, but what to do if your Valentine is an allergy sufferer? We hebben samen een laag allergie gids om bloemen om u een aantal tips geven.

* Try to choose flowers containing little or no pollen, or pollen that is unlikely to become airborne

* Choose flowers with less scent, as they have less pollen

* Roses are fine, try to choose an unscented variety

* Orchids are nice too and safe for allergic people

* Err on the side of caution and remove stamen where possible – from Lilies, bij voorbeeld

* Consider giving a plant instead – succulents and cactus are perfect for people with allergies. Avoid wind-pollinated plants, as they are responsible for most allergies (they have small, often unnoticeable flowers).

* You could always play it completely safe and give your Valentine a beautiful bunch of artificial flowers, which will also be longer lasting

Most of the really bold, striking colourful cut flowers that you find in gift bouquets are pollinated by insects. The pollen of these flowers is usually heavy, wat betekent dat niet zweven in de lucht, making them ideal for allergy sufferers – although the pollen can get broken up in to smaller grains which then become airborne.

Some people can also be allergic to the pollen of cut flowers, like lilies, which are also insect-pollinated. Some lilies like the Calla Lily have a thick stamen coated in yellow pollen. If you pull this out before giving them to your Valentine then it will be safe for her to enjoy.

These Flowers contain little or no pollen:

* Daffodils

* Tulips

* Geraniums

* Poppies

* Orchids

* Roses

The Classic Romantic flower, the Rose has pollen that is often too large and heavy to become airborne, waardoor ze de ideale bloem tot op de dag van de Valentijnskaart te geven als een geschenk. Orchids carry very little pollen, and come in a variety of colours and sizes.

Flowers to avoid if you are allergic are:

* Daisies

* Chysanthemums

* Jasmijn

* Sunflowers

These flowers all contain a lot of pollen. Jasmine is also a very fragrant flower and should be kept away from windows and entrances. Blossom is also one to avoid as these rely on wind pollination.

De WebMD site also has some useful information about which flowers and plants are best for allergic people.